Stuff – my house is filled with it! I’d like to think that I own the stuff, but lately I’ve decided the stuff owns ME. In my effort to simplify, make things from scratch, etc., it seems like I have more stuff sitting around. The only difference is that the new stuff helps me be productive. It helps turn my home into a producer, rather than a consumer, and that, my friend, is the goal! The other stuff is clutter – and I’ve decided to start the decluttering process.
Much of the clutter steals away my time and energy as I seem to always be moving it, cleaning it, making sure it doesn’t get damaged, etc. I am a packrat by nature – much to my husband’s chagrin – so letting go of things can be a challenge! This life of buying less, using what you have, can also feed my packrat nature. Afterall, I don’t want to get rid of that container, or ___________ (fill in the blank), because I might be able to use it someday. While this is good – I need to get rid of other useless items, to make room those things that truly have the potential to be utilized in the near future or on a regular basis.
I’m also trying to declutter my heart and mind these days. As I mentioned the other day, there are so many things I am inspired to do or try, that I sometimes get overwhelmed and do nothing. In pondering this over the past few days, I started to see that part of my problem is trying to “hold” the info in my brain. So, I’ve started a few notebooks on different topics. That way I can print or make notes when I encounter tips, ideas, recipes, etc., to have for reference later. I know I can use the computer to store this info, and much of the time I do keep it on my harddrive. I have found, however, that there is info that I need when away from technology, or if technology fails, so the notebooks will (hopefully) allow me to keep important info, and allow me to get it out of my head knowing it is safe and waiting for me when I need it. My most valuable notebook so far is the one that holds the back issues of “New Harvest Homestead”. I really appreciate the yearly index Lisa supplies her readers. It makes finding various articles and recipes so easy! If you haven’t already, I highly recommend this bimonthly enewsletter. Each issue is packed with helpful info from others who desire to be steadfast at home.
